Having close friends or family living abroad is an ideal opportunity for a cost-effective holiday – if you don’t need to splash out on accommodation then you’ll have a lot more to spend on enjoying yourself seeing the sights while you’re away.

That said, it’s still vital that you make the necessary preparations before you set off; don’t fall into the trap of feeling too laid back about it all since you’ll be staying with someone you know. There are still steps you need to take to ensure that you enjoy a trip that goes off without a hitch.

Firstly, make sure you have a suitable travel insurance policy in place before you go away. Don’t just go for any old policy, though; many people fall into the trap of assuming that all travel insurance is essentially the same and just go for the cheapest one they can find. That’s not at all a good idea, though – read the small print and ensure that you’re fully covered for all of your needs. If you have a pre-existing medical condition, for instance, it’s important that you declare this clearly on your application form.

It makes sense to shop around online for your travel insurance – as well as your travel money . Make sure to order the latter well in advance of your trip to give it plenty of time to arrive. If you wait until you get to the airport to buy your travel money then you’ll pay a much bigger commission.

Also ensure that your passport will be valid for the entire duration of your stay. In fact, certain countries require visitors to have at least six months remaining on their passport before granting entry, so that’s something to keep in mind when doing your pre-trip checks. Passport renewal can take a long time, so it’s best to double check your dates as early as possible.

It’s relatively rare, but you may require a visa to visit your destination country so be sure to do your research well in advance. If you do need to apply for a visa then don’t leave it until the last minute; get your application in nice and early as turnaround times can be lengthy.

If you’re planning to take a ‘thank you’ gift for your kind hosts with you just double check which items you are and aren’t allowed to take into your destination country. Certain places won’t allow you to carry plant or animal products over the border so don’t buy an expensive item before you’ve checked your facts.